How to Install the SQL Server

Level of difficulty: Intermediate

SQL Server is an RDBMS (Relational Database Management System) created by Microsoft. Its most recent version, SQL Server 2008, has the main purpose of making data management self-organizing, maintaining, and self-tuning. SQL Server has an installation wizard so that all SQL Server components can be easily installed. Its single feature tree eliminates the need to individually install these components: (1) Database Engine, (2) Analysis Services, (3) Reporting Services, (4) Integration Services, (5) Replication, (6) Management Tools, (7) Connectivity Components, (8) Sample Databases and Online SQL Server Books.

Materials Needed:
- Microsoft Windows Installer 4.5 or later
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 SP1 or later
- CD or DVD drive
- computer mouse
- sufficient hard disk space (depends on components to be installed)
Step 1
Insert the SQL Srever2008 installation disk. Locate the root folder then click on 'Set-up.exe'.
Step 2
Once the prerequisites have been installed, the Installation Wizard will proceed to run the SQL Server installation Server. Click 'New Installation'.
Step 3
A System Configuration Checker will do a discovery operation on the system and you can click 'Ok' to continue.
Step 4
The next screen will show which components to install. The first option, which is SQL Server Database Services, is the SQL Engine. All the sub-items will become available when it is selected. These are (1) Replication, (2) Full Text Search, (3) Database Files, and (5) Shared Tools.
Step 5
You can select Workstation Components as well if you would like to install components related to SQL Server like Management Studio or Books Online. If you choose SQL Services Database Services, it will only install the engine without the documentation or management tools. Other components that can be selected are Analysis Services, Reporting Services, and Integration Services.
Step 6
After you click Next from Components to install, the Instance Name screen appears. If you choose Default Instance, SQL Server will keep the name of the computer it is installed on. You can choose 'Named Instance' if you want to use a different name then click 'Next'.
Step 7
The Service Account screen will show and you can specify the accounts where SQL will run on. If you choose 'Use the built in System account', SQL Services will run under the local machine’s account.
Step 8
In the Authentication mode screen, if you want to use different SQL logins aside from Windows logins, you can choose Mixed Mode and make a password for the SA. SA is the system administrators SQL account. Click 'Next'.
Step 9
The next screen shows 'Collation Settings' that allows configuration of sort order and collation. You can keep the default settings in Dictionary order and case insensitive if there are no any specific circumstances.
Step 10
SQL will show a set-up status report at the end of the installation. Any errors during installation will be shown here. The system may ask you to reboot Windows and you may do so at this time to complete the installation.